Doctors in Lagos embark on a solidarity march, demanding the release of their abducted colleagues

Association of Resident Physicians, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH-ARD) has called for the safe return of Ganiyat Popoola, a resident doctor at the Kaduna National Eye Centre, who was abducted eight months ago.

The doctors made a united march on Friday from its secretariat to other major departments within the hospital.

Mrs Popoola was kidnapped on 27 December 2023 together with her husband and nephew.

While her husband has been released after reportedly paying a ransom, Mrs Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N60 million before releasing the doctor’s husband.

In his remarks, the President of LASUTH-ARD, Charles Aisudo, expressed concern for the safety of health workers due to what he described as the worsening insecurity in the country.

Mr. Aisudo encouraged the government and the security forces to help the doctor’s release and the release of his grandson.

“We’ve appealed, we’ve begged, we’ve begged, and we’ve begged. We now demand that Dr Ganiyat Popoola and his nephew be released immediately,” said Mr Aisudo.

“We are calling on the government, security forces and key stakeholders in the country to help secure his immediate unconditional release.”

NARD command

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) threatened a nationwide strike if the victim is not released by August 26.

The President of NARD, Dele Abdullahi, made this announcement in a press conference at Abujathey criticize the government’s “inaction” regarding the kidnapping.

The organization has decided to organize a national press conference and a nationwide march in all tertiary hospitals to demand Ms Ganiyat’s release.

Concerns of health workers

When the incident happened, Mr Abdullahi said the organization informed all security agencies, the federal government and the Kaduna State Government but nothing significant was found.

He noted that the association has informed the Nigerian Medical Association, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Chairman of the House Committee. on Health, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Kaduna State Government.

“It is appalling that in a country where we want health care providers to live, one of us is being held hostage for more than seven months and 17 days without any form of relief or order on what to do how will the rescue proceed,” Mr Abdullahi said.

Speaking during the protest march in Lagos, the immediate past president of LASUTH-ARD, Salmon Abeeb, said the incident was a disgrace to the organization and would continue the protest march until the government takes action to ensure the release of the Queen. Popoola and her nephew.

“What we want is the release of our members. I am a colleague, a mother, a wife and a Nigerian. How do they want us to feel if our colleague has been in captivity for about eight months ?Mr Abeeb said.

“We are sorry for his absence but for the work of the government he must continue. We are going to continue this show if he is not released.

“We also call on the perpetrators of the crime to think of the day they stand before the perpetrator, they should release our member and other Nigerians who are in captivity.”

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Insecurity affects health workers

Nigeria has been struggling with armed conflicts such as terrorism and extortion, among other issues.

The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) has identified 19 incidents of violence against health workers in Nigeria in 2023.

It also identified 43 incidents in 2022, compared to 56 in 2021, where 37 health workers were kidnapped, seven others were killed, and health supplies were looted from pharmacies and in health centers.

The SHCC reports that between 2016 and 2020, there were 4,094 reported attacks and threats against healthcare in conflict zones around the world.

During this period, at least 1,524 health workers were injured, 681 were killed, and 401 were kidnapped.